Hazardous waste
Rio Tinto operations generated 82,000 tonnes of hazardous non mineral waste in 2005, an increase of 48 per cent compared to 2004. The significant increase was predominantly attributed to once-off site clean ups of hazardous materials including waste sulphur and reduced process stability at some aluminium smelters.
Fifty two per cent of the hazardous non mineral waste generated was from aluminium smelters. There has been a nine per cent increase in the generation of hazardous waste per tonne of product at aluminium smelters from 2004. Nineteen per cent was from once off site clean ups with the remaining 29 per cent evenly distributed among Rio Tinto operations.
At the end of 2005, 33 per cent of hazardous waste generated during the year was placed in storage pending final disposal or recycle/re-use. Twenty per cent of hazardous non mineral waste generated in 2005 was recycled or re-used.
The Group requires operations to establish procedures to inspect and monitor off site disposal locations. In 2005, 236 locations were used for off site disposal of hazardous waste. 62 locations (26 per cent of businesses) undertook audits of their hazardous waste facilities in 2005.
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